Former Nigeria defender Taribo West claims he left Milan in 2000 because the mafia did not want “an African player taking the place of an Italian one.”
West left Inter for their city rivals at the turn of the millennium, but he played just four times for Milan before joining Derby County in November 2000.
“I left because of the mafia,” the 45-year-old told Score Nigeria.
“It was they who bribed the doctors to say that I was injured, but it wasn’t true.
“They wanted to boot me out because they didn’t want an African player taking the place of an Italian one.”
Arguably best known for his unusual hairstyles, the Nigerian added he was close to Liverpool prior to signing for Derby.
“When I left, I was close to Liverpool but negotiations fell through and I had to settle [for Derby].”